Alex Devine is in his second year at Utah State and first as the defensive line coach after spending the 2021 season as a defensive front specialist for the Aggies.
In 2021, Utah State had its best season in school history as it tied the school record with 11 wins (11-3), won its first-ever Mountain West Championship with a 46-13 road win at No. 19 San Diego State, posted a 24-13 win against Oregon State in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl and finished the season ranked 24th in the nation in both polls.
Utah State’s defense held each of its final three opponents to 13 or fewer points and five of its last six opponents to 17 or fewer points.
Utah State’s defense finished tied for second in the nation with 114.0 tackles for loss, which is also tied for the second-most in school history. And, USU limited its opponents to just 22 touchdowns on 51 trips into the red zone (.431), which ranked 10th nationally.
Additionally, Utah State’s defense ranked fourth in the nation in fourth down conversion percentage (.250), eighth nationally with 11 forced fumbles and 27th in the nation in third down conversion percentage (.346).
Devine arrived at Utah State after spending five seasons at the University of Miami, where he served as the assistant director of player development for two seasons (2019-20) and three years as a graduate assistant (2016-18).
During the 2020 campaign, Devine helped a Hurricanes defense that led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in yards per pass attempt (6.75) and ranked fourth nationally in tackles for loss (8.6 pg), 16th in fumbles recovered (9) and 33rd in sacks (2.73 pg). Miami finished the season with an 8-3 record, including a 7-2 ACC mark, and played in the Cheez-It Bowl.
In 2019, Devine helped a Miami defense that ranked 13th nationally in total defense (309.8 ypg) and 12th nationally in yards per play allowed (4.7). In addition, the Hurricanes ranked fourth nationally in tackles for loss (8.3 pg), sixth in sacks (3.54 pg), 17th in run defense (114.6. yapg) and 18th in pass defense (195.2 ypg).
In 2018, the Hurricanes ranked fourth nationally in total defense (278.9 ypg) and ranked No. 1 in several categories, including tackles for loss (10.5 pg), third down conversion percentage (.253) and passing defense (135.6 ypg).
The Hurricanes ranked among the nation’s leaders in several defensive categories in 2017, including first in team sacks (3.38 pg), third in turnovers gained (31), fourth in tackles for loss (8.5 pg), ninth in opponent yards per play (4.3), 15th in passes intercepted (17) and 16th in passing yards allowed per attempt (5.56).
At the conclusion of the 2016 season, Miami was ranked 20th nationally in total defense (345.5 ypg), ninth in yards per play (4.8), 12th in scoring defense (18.5 ppg), fifth in tackles for loss (8.3 pg), 22nd in team sacks (2.85 pg) and tied for eighth in defensive touchdowns allowed. The Hurricanes also ranked 12th nationally in passing yards allowed per attempt (6.30).
Devine began his coaching career as a student assistant at Mississippi State for two years (2014-15). In 2014, he helped the Bulldogs to a 10-3 record and an appearance in the Capital One Orange Bowl. And in 2015, MSU posted a 9-4 record, capped by a 51-28 win against North Carolina State in the Belk Bowl.
Devine graduated from Mississippi State in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in sport studies and earned his master’s degree from Miami in liberal studies.
ALEX DEVINE FILE
Coaching History
2022- Utah State – Defensive Line
2021 Utah State – Defensive Front Specialist
2019-20 Miami – Asst. Director- Player Development
2016-18 Miami – Graduate Assistant
2014-15 Mississippi State – Student Assistant
Bowl Games (8)
Utah State (1) – 2021 LA Bowl
Miami (FL) (5) – 2020 Cheez-It Bowl; 2019 Independence Bowl; 2018 Pinstripe Bowl; 2017 Orange Bowl; 2016 Russell Athletic Bowl
Mississippi State (2) – 2015 Belk Bowl; 2014 Orange Bowl
Conference Championships (1)
Utah State (1) – Mountain West, 2021
Education
2018 Miami – Liberal Arts (M.S.)
2015 Mississippi State – Sport Studies (B.S.)